Dry Red Chilli

Indian red chili powder is pure 100% ground dried red chilies. This is the main basic spice you should know if you are new to Indian food. There are a zillion kinds of Indian chili powder available in the market and it is hard to decide on one. Every family has their own preferred choice, depending on the region and their heat tolerance levels. So to begin with, you will look for something that's going to match your taste buds & preferences - mildly hot, hot and super hot. If you don't or can't eat hot spicy foods start with chili powder that is very mild like Kashmiri chili powder or the Byadgi dabbi (different from Byadgi kaddi which is slightly hotter). This is what I have always used & have interchanged one for the other with the same quantities. If you want higher levels of heat in your dishes try with Guntur chili powder and lavangi. Some people also use a mix of mild and hot chilies to balance the heat levels. A key point to note here is that too much of hot chili in your diet can cause skin and digestive problems. So try with smaller amounts.